1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
Xi also wants to focus on Washington’s stance on Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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While that’s a tension that has been expected to percolate between the billionaire class and new socialist democratic mayor, real estate sales in the city remain strong.—
Trevor Laurence Jockims,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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Trump has repeatedly argued that restoring Venezuela’s oil industry is essential to stabilizing the country’s economy and rebuilding democratic institutions after years of authoritarian rule and economic collapse.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Jeffries first looked to California, where an independent commission had drawn a map that, in 2024, gave Democrats forty-three of the state’s fifty-two congressional seats.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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By the start of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman second season in the fall of 1976, the show had expanded to 125 independent markets, now putting it in front of a potential fifty-five million households.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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In a May 7 round of elections for local council seats in England and seats in the semi-autonomous legislatures of Wales and Scotland, Starmer's Labour Party lost big.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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The United Kingdom is sending autonomous mine-hunting equipment and anti-drone systems to the Strait of Hormuz, the British Ministry of Defence said.—
Sarah Tamimi,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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And certainly not a decision that is starting to look worse by the day as LIV's future no longer includes financial backing from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
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Witkoff and Kushner also met with Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a top Kremlin envoy, earlier in March in Miami.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said emergency responders treated victims at four separate shooting scenes across the city.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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This Bagsmart travel jewelry organizer has separate, dedicated pockets and compartments for your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, and folds up into a compact pouch for easy packing.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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